HB755 • 2026

AN ACT relating to associations and individual representation rights.

Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: J. Nemes
Last action: 2026-04-15
Official status: 04/15/26: recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT relating to associations and individual representation rights.

What This Bill Does

AN ACT relating to associations and individual representation rights.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HCS1

House Committee Substitute 1

Retain original provisions, except require recognized labor organizations to represent all employees in the bargaining unit in certain collective bargaining negotiations and in the administration and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements; allow nonmember employees to be represented by counsel of their choosing, subject to reasonable employer procedures, when the proceeding does not involve the interpretation or enforcement of a collective bargaining agreement; require the labor organization to represent a nonmember employee in an action involving the interpretation or enforcement of a collective bargaining agreement; allow nonmember employees to enter into a written agreement with the labor organization for representation for a reasonable fee; provide that the bill shall not be interpreted to create a right for an employee who is not a dues-paying member to have representation in any type of proceeding in which a labor organization would otherwise have the right or obligation to provide representation under the collective bargaining agreement.

Plain English: UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 755/HCS 1 Page 1 of 2 HB075530.100 - 2271 - XXXX 3/17/2026 9:51 AM House Committee Substitute AN ACT relating to associations and individual representation rights.

UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 755/HCS 1 Page 1 of 2 HB075530.100 - 2271 - XXXX 3/17/2026 9:51 AM House Committee Substitute AN ACT relating to associations and individual representation rights.
1 WHEREAS, public employee labor organizations expend r esources derived solely 2 from voluntary membership dues; and 3 WHEREAS, principles of fairness support allowing labor organizations to direct 4 member-provided resources toward the benefit of those who voluntarily choose 5 membership; and 6 WHEREAS, nothing in this Act alters the obligation of a certified bargaining 7 representative to negotiate collective bargaining agreements on behalf of all employees in 8 the bargaining unit; 9 NOW, THEREFORE, 10 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 11 SECTION 1.
A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 336 IS CREATED TO 12 READ AS FOLLOWS: 13 (1) A labor organization certified or recognized as the recognized bargaining 14 representative of a bargaining unit of public employees under this chapter shall 15 represent all employees in the bargaining unit in collective bargaining 16 negotiations and in the admin istration and enforcement of a collective 17 bargaining agreement without discrimination.
18 (2) In any proceeding in which the labor organization would otherwise have the right 19 or obligation to provide representation under the collective bargaining agreement 20 that does not involve the interpretation or enforcement of a collective bargaining 21 agreement, a nonmember employee may represent himself or herself or be 22 represented by counsel or a representative of the employee's choosing, subject to 23 reasonable employer procedures.

Bill History

2026-04-15 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)
2026-03-17 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
reported favorably, 2nd reading, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1)
2026-03-13 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
taken from Local Government (H) 1st reading returned to Local Government (H)
2026-03-04 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
to Local Government (H)
2026-02-25 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
introduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)

Official Summary Text

AN ACT relating to associations and individual representation rights.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2271
Page 1 of 2
XXXX 2/25/2026 12:35 PM Jacketed
AN ACT relating to associations and individual representation rights. 1
WHEREAS, public employee labor organizations expend resources derived solely 2
from voluntary membership dues; and 3
WHEREAS, principles of fairness support allowing labor organizations to direct 4
member-provided resources toward the benefit of those who voluntarily choose 5
membership; and 6
WHEREAS, nothing in this Act alters the obligation of a certifi ed bargaining 7
representative to negotiate collective bargaining agreements on behalf of all employees in 8
the bargaining unit; 9
NOW, THEREFORE, 10
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 11
SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 336 IS CREATED TO 12
READ AS FOLLOWS: 13
(1) A labor organization certified or recognized as the recognized bargaining 14
representative of a bargaining unit of public employees under this chapter shall 15
represent al l employees in the bargaining unit in collective bargaining 16
negotiations and in the administration and enforcement of a collective 17
bargaining agreement without discrimination. 18
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a labor organization shall not be 19
required to provide individualized grievance representation, disciplinary 20
representation, investigatory representation, arbitration advocacy, or related 21
individualized advoca cy services to an employee who is not a dues -paying 22
member of the labor organization at the time the services are requested. 23
(3) In any proceeding that does not involve the interpretation or enforcement of a 24
collective bargaining agreement, a nonmember emp loyee may represent himself 25
or herself or be represented by counsel or a representative of the employee's 26
choosing, subject to reasonable employer procedures. 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2271
Page 2 of 2
XXXX 2/25/2026 12:35 PM Jacketed
(4) (a) In any proceeding involving the interpretation or enforcement of a 1
collective bargaining agreement, the labor organization shall have the right 2
to determine whether to represent a nonmember employee. 3
(b) If the labor organization elects to provide such representation, it may 4
charge the nonmember employee a reasonable fee not to exceed the act ual 5
cost of the services provided. 6
(c) If the labor organization elects not to provide representation, the 7
nonmember employee may represent himself or herself or be represented by 8
counsel or a representative of the employee's choosing, subject to 9
reasonable employer procedures. 10
(5) A labor organization and a nonmember employee may enter into a written 11
agreement for the provision of individualized representation services in any 12
proceeding, consistent with the terms of this section. 13
Section 2. This Act applies to collective bargaining agreements entered into or 14
renewed on or after the effective date of this Act. 15
Section 3. If any provision of this Act or its application thereof to any pers on or 16
circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or 17
applications of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or 18
application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable. 19